It's been a tough re-introduction to life in the second tier for Wanderers following their promotion last May. Under Phil Parkinson, The Trotters finished runners-up to Sheffield United in Sky Bet League One but have just two points to show from their opening eight league games this season. Parkinson's side have lost their last five matches in all competitions, without scoring, and are yet to pick up a point at home this campaign, their sole points coming after draws on the road at Millwall and Birmingham City.

Following promotion, Parkinson elected to keep faith with the majority of the squad that had earned an instant return to the second-tier. Will Buckley, Sammy Ameobi, Craig Noone, Stephen Darby, Adam Armstrong, and Aaron Wilbraham arrived at The Macron with Jamie Proctor, Dean Moxey, Lawrie Wilson, and Liam Trotter the major departures. As far as team news for Saturday goes, Ameobi might be fit enough to return to the bench following a knee injury but Josh Vela will miss out with an ankle injury.

The Manager

Phil Parkinson played more than 350 Football League games for Reading during an 18-year playing career that started at Southampton and also took him to Bury. He moved into management at Colchester United in 2003. He won promotion with the Essex side in 2006 but resigned to take over at Hull City, where he lasted less than six months. He moved to Charlton Athletic a few weeks later as Assistant Manager to Alan Pardew and took over at The Valley in November 2008. The Addicks were relegated in 2009 and lost in the League One Play-Offs a year later.

Parkinson was sacked in January 2011, arriving at Bradford later in the year. The Bantams finished 18th in his first season in charge but he won promotion the following season, also becoming the first manager to take a fourth-tier team to a major Wembley final in the process when The Bantams took on Swansea City in the League Cup Final. Parkinson left Valley Parade in 2016, after nearly five years with the club, and led Bolton back to the second tier in his first season in charge.

Ticket & Travel News

Advanced sales for tomorrow's trip end at 2pm on Friday. Tickets will also be available to buy on the day, cash only, from the turnstiles at Block F

Adults £15Concessions £7

Any duplicates or collections will be from the collections windows at the main Ticket Office, adjacent to the Club Superstore.